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Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty

Posted by Vatsal J Tanna 
Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 03, 2018 07:17AM
Warm regards everyone,

I assembled a prusa i3 using reprap for info and Amazon for parts.

The first problem I encountered was the z axis motors failed to move in one direction (upwards). I replaced them with non standard 10 kg-cm motors thinking that maybe more torque will make them fail proof. But less than 1 month after the replacement, these new and bigger motors started having the same problem. Does anyone know why this is happening?

I regularly oil all 3 axes and the motion of up direction is not too tight, that I've checked.

One issue that I've always had is the earthing. One can get a small shock by touching the vertical frame or the aluminum bed, but not the motors. Could this be, in any way, the root cause of my motors going bad?
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 03, 2018 06:08PM
My guess is that you have both Z motors connected to the output of a single driver. If you have connected them in parallel (which is how RAMPS and many other 8-bit controller boards connect 2 Z motor connectors), then the driver needs to supply double the current. So if the driver is not getting hot and neither are the motors, turn up the current. If the Z driver is already getting hot, then you may get better results with the motors connected in series. Post the specifications of your Z motors here for more detailed advice.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2018 06:09PM by dc42.



Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 05, 2018 01:03PM
This picture that I very attached shows exactly how I have connected z axis motors.
Attachments:
open | download - ramps_wiring.png (96.5 KB)
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 05, 2018 04:08PM
Quote
Vatsal J Tanna
This picture that I very attached shows exactly how I have connected z axis motors.

You connected them in parallel.



Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 05, 2018 10:44PM
Yes. Now tell me how do I increase the current of the driver. Remember, I am a mechanical engineer with little background in electronics, so it would be nice if you could explain it like you are explain it to a small kid.
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 06, 2018 05:17AM
"Yes. Now tell me how do I increase the current of the driver"
Now read this
Re: Z axis motors consistently becoming faulty
June 10, 2018 06:49AM
Increased the current. Only the motor driver (A4988) became hot. No other changes seen.
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